WIBW: Topeka Native Turns 100, Invited to National Purple Heart Honor Mission 2023 Tribute

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - On February 21st, the city of Topeka honored former police chief James Freel for his 100th birthday and Monday the recognition kept on coming.

“Each year we honor a purple heart recipient from each of the 50 states to represent their state,” said Russell Vernon, a retired army colonel and executive director of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, “and this year from all the nominations from the state of Kansas, you’ve been selected.”

Freel turned 100 years old Monday and was chosen to represent Kansas in the 2023 Purple Heart Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission in New York in September.

CLICK HERE to see WIBW’s full story on James Freel’s recognition.